Wife of good Samaritan shot, killed at Northwest Side Walmart says husband was peacemaker

Teles Juarez to be charged with murder, two counts of aggravated assault

SAN ANTONIO – The family of a good Samaritan killed at a Northwest Side Walmart on Vance Jackson near Interstate 10 Friday identified him as 39-year-old Isidro Zarate.

Police said Zarate was defending a woman who was being assaulted by 21-year-old Teles Juarez.

Zarate’s family said he was a loving father of four adult sons and had been with his wife for 22 years. His wife said he was a peacemaker, which is why she thinks he felt compelled to tell Juarez to “get his hands off” the unidentified female victim of domestic violence.

"He didn't like for a man to beat up on a woman," said Lisa Benavides, Zarate’s wife.

Police said Juarez shot and killed Zarate and injured two women.

"I don't know why this happened. I miss him so much," Benavides said. 

Benavides said she had gone into Walmart for no more than 30 minutes to pick out an outfit for Friday night’s tree lighting downtown. When she came out, she saw Zarate dead in their car.

“He was a real good person. He would like to make everybody laugh. He just liked to stay home with his kids,” Benavides said.

Benavides said she's grateful swift police work caught her husband's alleged killer. 

"It still doesn't bring my husband back. He's still gone. I still don't have him beside me, hugging me and telling me everything's going to be okay," she said.

Juarez is booked at the Bexar County jail. Police said he'll be charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Zarate's family is in the process of organizing a fundraiser to pay for his funeral expenses.